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Thursday, May 18, 2006

Monorail Ties Together L.A.'s Gems

Seeing that the NFL is still interested in doing business with the L.A. Coliseum, Hollywood Thoughts figured we'd throw-in our own two-cents on the whole shebang...

For a long while we've thought it would be a wise idea to create a 'golden triangle' of L.A.'s more interesting -- but less-utilized -- cultural and entertainment venues.

Specifically, we'd like to see an above-ground monorail built that would connect the L.A. Coliseum/ Natural History Museums to downtown's Broadway Street (home of the Million Dollar, Los Angeles and Orpheum movie palaces). Another spur could connect with the Convention Center (and the Staples Center Arena). Later extensions might link with the Music Center... LAX... or even Dodger Stadium. Eventually the whole project would be a way of uniting all of L.A.'s fun and interesting landmarks.

L.A.'s Broadway Street is a real lost gem. Hollywood Thoughts feels strongly that the street should be blocked from automotive traffic between the Orpheum theatre down to the Million Dollar theatre. The pedestrian-only zone would be similar to Sanata Monica's Third Street promenade-- or Old Town in Pasadena. The three movie palaces -- along with the stores lining the street -- could be rennovated with the same sensitivity as that of the El Capitan in Hollywood.

Think of it: A family could park their car somewhere along Broadway, take a safe & fast trip to the coliseum, attend a football game (or visit one of the museums), and then return to downtown to have a fun stroll and a meal along one of L.A.'s historic streets.

Football's not your game? Fine. Take-in a show at the Ahmanson, and then have dinner on Broadway.

Same goes for our out-of-town visitors. Imagine the positive word-of-mouth L.A. would get from travel agents when they tell their clients to take a monorail from the airport to catch a movie at one of the country's finest theatres-- after a long day at the convention center.

By the way, Hollywood Thoughts thinks it's important to retain the Latin flavor that Broadway has had for the last several years-- some of the mercados should remain. Spanish films should still be shown... just as the classics (how about 'Double Indemnity' at the Orpheum!), and new releases, too.

Why a monorail?

Simple. Walt Disney had it all right. Subways are buried... you never think of them (out of sight, out of mind). Disney knew back in 1959 that a monorail whizzing overhead at sixty miles an hour was a damn good moving-marquee to a guy stuck in traffic. At some point you think, "I really should give that thing a ride." A monorail sends a daily reminder to go visit the pedestrian mall on Broadway... or that going to the coliseum can be a safe and hassle-free experience.

Also, monorails go up in half the time as a subway (read: they're cheaper to build and maintain).

Each of these locations -- when tied to one another -- stand strong as a draw to consumers. Alone, they die on the vine.

With sales of expensive downtown lofts skyrocketing, the city center's new residents will be clamoring for things to do that are close to home.

AN OPEN CALL TO OUR LOCAL DEVELOPERS & BENEFACTORS:

Think about it Eli Broad: dump a little energy into this idea-- it sure would add value to your Staple Center holdings. Hey, Casey Wasserman: wouldn't your Grandfather be proud if you got involved in a project like this? Message to Ron Burkle: stop wasting time on New York's trashy Page Six... and get on the same page for furthering urban renewal in your own backyard.

22 Comments:

I love the idea of the monorail!WONDERFUL! And you are right...more people would probably go to many more places. What to do about the West Side?? There is no good way to get there or come back...and things are only going to get worse. Help!